Molecular characterization of chromosome translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) and its correlation to carcinogenesis

ABSTRACT

Methods for determining whether a tissue sample or an analogue and/or derivative thereof comprises a cell with a chromosome (11:18) translocation associated with malignancies such as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. The invention further provides insight into a novel mechanism of transformation of primary cells. The mechanism involves expression of a fusion proteinaceous molecule comprising at least apoptosis inhibitor 2 (API2) or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof fused to at least One other proteinaceous molecule. The invention also provides a novel nucleic acid sequence and proteinaceous molecule expressed from the sequence termed “MALT-lymphoma associated Translocation (MLT) protein.”

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/579,692, filed Mar. 26, 2000, which claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 60/138,834, filed Jun. 9, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to the fields of medicine and diagnostics. More in particular, the invention relates to medicine and the diagnosis of tumors.

[0003] Recurrent translocations acquired in a process of transformation are well recognized in nodal B-cell lymphomas. These translocations characterize distinct subtypes of disease and involve genes controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis. BCL2, which suppresses apoptosis, was cloned from the t(14;18)(q21;q32) found in most cases of follicular B-cell lymphoma, whereas translocations involving the BCL1/CyclinDl gene on chromosome 11q13 are seen in nearly all cases of mantle cell lymphoma.¹

[0004] By contrast, the genetic mechanisms underlying the genesis and disease progression of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type, a recently recognized distinct subtype of B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma's (NHL), are not known.² MALT lymphomas account for five to ten percent of all NHLs and the vast majority of lymphomas arising at extranodal sites. They originate in a setting of chronic inflammation triggered by chronic infection or autoimmune disorders, such as Helicobacter pylori gastritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.³ In vitro experiments have shown that H. pylori specific T-cells provide contact-dependent help for the growth of the malignant B-cells of gastric MALT.⁴ The etiological link between low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas and H. pylori infection has also been demonstrated by the regression of some cases with antibiotic therapy.^(5,6) The preferential use of immunoglobulin variable region genes (V_(H)) associated with autoimmune disorders indicates that some MALT lymphomas may arise from autoreactive B-cells.^(7,8)

[0005] Since biopsies of these lymphomas are relatively rarely subjected to cytogenetic analysis and their in vitro proliferation is often poor, abnormal karyotypic data have been published for only 46 low-grade MALT lymphomas,⁹⁻¹⁷ 5 extranodal small lymphocytic lymphomas of probable marginal zone origin,¹⁸⁻²⁰ and 23 high-grade gastric MALT lymphomas.^(14,15) Recurrent abnormalities in these cases include trisomies of chromosomes 3, 7, 12, and 18,^(11,17,21) the t(1;14)(p22;q32) which has been described in two cases¹⁷ and the t(11;18)(q21;q21). The t(11;18)(q21;q21) has been detected in 15 out of the 51 low-grade lymphomas arising from various extranodal sites^(9,12,14,18-20) but in none of the high-grade MALT lymphomas or any other subtype of NHL. In the largest cytogenetic series, this translocation has been found in 7 out of 13 cases of low-grade MALT lymphomas with an abnormal karyotype.¹⁴ These data clearly indicate that the t(11;18) represents the most frequent structural abnormality in low-grade MALT lymphomas and seems to specifically characterize this disease entity. An attempt to delineate the breakpoint at 18q21.1 has been described by Akagi et al. (Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, 24 (1999): 315-321). A detailed characterization, however, is urgently needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a detailed molecular genetic characterization of the 11q21 and 18q21 breakpoint regions in MALT lymphomas characterized by the t(11;18)(q21;q21). The invention further identifies that the API2 gene, also known as c-IAP2,²² HIAPI²³ and MIHC,²⁴ an inhibitor of apoptosis, and a novel gene on 18q21, named MLT, are rearranged in this translocation. The invention also identifies that truncation of the API2 gene distal to its three BIR domains and fusion of this truncated gene with the carboxy-terminal region of MLT may lead to increased inhibition of apoptosis and thereby confer a survival benefit to MALT type B-cell lymphomas. In other words, the present invention discloses that, surprisingly, truncation of the API2 gene and fusion to the new MLT gene is crucial for the development of MALT type B-cell lymphomas.

[0007] In one aspect, the invention teaches that the t(11;18)(q21;q21) associated with extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of the MALT type results in the expression of a chimeric transcript fusing 5′-API2 on chromosome 11 to 3′-MLT on chromosome 18. The occurrence of the t(11;18) translocation in not less than 17 out of 51 published cases of low-grade MALT lymphomas^(9,12,14,18-20) including the two cases described herein, along with its presence as the sole cytogenetic abnormality in 16 out of the 17 reported cases, indicates that the t(11;18) represents one of the main recurrent, disease-specific translocations in NHL.

[0008] Several observations point to the API2-MLT fusion as the oncogenic lesion underlying the t(11;18). The chimeric cDNA was cloned from two independent tumors. In one case, the genomic breakpoints were also cloned and the structure of both genes and the localization of the breakpoints are in agreement with the expression of the fusion transcript. The cryptic deletion of the 3′ part of API2 in case 1 precludes the expression of a reciprocal MLT-API2 transcript in this case. As a result of the deletion, the 5′-end of the MLT gene is fused to the 5′-end of the MMP20 gene on the der(18). As both genes are present on opposite strands of the DNA, no MLT-MMP20 transcript is expressed. Furthermore, FISH experiments with PACs for respectively MLT, API2 and MMP20 clearly suggest that, in case 2, a balanced translocation occurred not involving a break in the MMP20 gene, further arguing against any significance of the MLT-MMP20 fusion.

[0009] API2 belongs to the family of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (“IAP”), which play an evolutionary conserved role in regulating programmed cell death in diverse species (International Patent Application WO 97/06182 to Rothe and Goeddel). The IAP genes were first identified in baculoviruses in which they demonstrated an ability to suppress the host cell apoptotic response to viral infection.³³ Subsequently, five human IAP relatives have been described: NIAP, API1 (also known as cIAP1, HIAP2, MIHB), API2 (cIAP2, HIAP1, MIHC), XIAP-hILP and survivin.^(22-24,34-37) The common structural features of all IAP family members is a motif termed baculovirus IAP repeat (“BIR”) occurring in one to three copies, a caspase recruitment domain or CARD³⁰ located between the BIR domain(s) and a carboxy-terminal zinc binding RING finger domain³¹ that is present in all IAPs with the exception of NIAP and survivin. The human API1 and API2 proteins were originally identified as proteins that are recruited to the cytosolic domain of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor II via their association with the TNF-associated factor (TRAF) proteins, TRAF-1 and TRAF-2,²² and have been subsequently shown to suppress different apoptotic pathways by inhibiting distinct caspases, such as caspase-3, caspase-7, and pro-caspase-9.^(35,38)

[0010] The function of the novel MLT gene (also known as “MALT1”) located on chromosome 18q21 is not yet known. Its closest homologue is a hypothetical C. elegans gene. The carboxy-terminal part of this gene is characterized by the presence two Ig-like C2-type domains and a domain similar to the murine Ig gamma chain VDJ4 sequence (Accession no. M13070). The C2 domains are only present in the longer fusion cDNA of case 2 and thus probably have no functional significance in the tumor.

[0011] The molecular mechanism of action of the API2-MLT fusion remains to be elucidated. Without being limited by theory, it is hypothesized that the fusion protein resulting from the t(11;18) may lead to increased inhibition of apoptosis and thereby confer a survival advantage to MALT lymphomas and allow antigen-independent proliferation. Indeed, MALT lymphomas have been shown to display low levels of apoptosis³⁹ and to escape from FAS-mediated apoptosis⁴⁰ and about 20% of low-grade MALT lymphomas do not respond to H. pylori eradication therapy.⁶ The truncation of API2 after the BIR domains could release their anti-apoptotic effects from regulation by the CARD and RING domains. Recent studies have shown that the BIR domain-containing regions of API1 and API2 are sufficient for inhibition of caspases and suppression of apoptosis.³⁵ The BIR domains of one of the Drosophila homologues (“DIAP1”) were demonstrated to suppress apoptosis in the Drosophila eye disk, whereas the full-length protein exhibited less activity. Moreover, transgenic flies over-expressing the RING domain alone exhibited increased cell death in the eye, suggesting that the RING domain may act as a negative regulator of cell death suppression in some instances.³⁴ On the other hand, a specific role for the carboxy-terminal MLT domain is suggested by its consistent presence in the fusion and by the recurrency of the t(11;18) in MALT lymphoma. This is supported by the observation that full-length API1 and API2 were somewhat more potent in caspase inactivation than constructs lacking the RING domain.³⁵ It is possible that the presence of the MLT domain would stabilize the fusion protein, increase its affinity for protein interaction or influence its subcellular localization, thereby modulating its interactions with other proteins.

[0012] The mechanism of gene deregulation by the t(11;18) differs from that seen in most of the B-cell lymphoma-associated translocations, which involve one of the immunoglobulin loci on 14q32, 2p12, or 22q11 and lead to deregulated expression of the incoming oncogene due to the proximity of potent B-cell transcriptional enhancers within the immunoglobulin loci.⁴¹ In this case, the expression of the fusion gene is driven from the promoter of its 5′ partner, API2. This agrees with the observation that API2 mRNA is highly expressed in adult lymphoid tissues, including spleen, thymus, and peripheral blood lymphocytes, and also in fetal lung and kidney.²³ It is also interesting to note that the IAP family member survivin is strongly expressed in apoptosis-regulated human fetal tissues, but not in terminally differentiated adult tissues.⁴² Survivin becomes prominently expressed in transformed cell lines and in most human cancers. Survivin expression was also found in 50% of high-grade NHL (centroblastic, immunoblastic) but not in low-grade lymphomas (lymphocytic).³⁷

[0013] At the genomic level, the rearrangements appear to be heterogeneous. The breakpoint in MLT occurred in two different introns for both cases. In the API2 gene the breakpoint occurred in the same intron for both cases, but it was associated with the deletion of the 3′-end of the gene in only one tumor. The cytogenetic analysis of MALT lymphoma is often hampered by their poor proliferation in vitro. However, the physical maps and the genomic clones that the present invention teaches allow the development of a wide variety of sensitive detection methods for this rearrangement, such as but not limited to interphase FISH assays and assays based on the specific amplification of nucleic acid encompassing the t(11:18) breakpoint. Alternatively, the fusion mRNA or the fusion protein provides new molecular targets for diagnosis.

[0014] In one aspect, the invention provides a method for determining whether a tissue sample or an analogue and/or derivative thereof comprises a cell with a chromosome (11:18) translocation associated with malignancies such as MALT lymphomas, the method comprising subjecting nucleic acid from the sample to an amplification reaction using a primer that is complementary to a nucteic acid sequence which in humans lies on chromosome 11 region q21-22.3 and a primer that is complementary to a nucleic acid sequence which in humans lies on chromosome 18 region q21.1-22, and determining the presence of any amplified product. Preferably, the tissue sample is taken from a human individual. Preferably, the individual is suffering from or at risk of suffering from a disease.

[0015] The nucleic acid may comprise chromosomal DNA, RNA or any other type of nucleic acid. With the knowledge of the region in which the (11:18) translocation occurs, a person skilled in the art is capable of developing specific nucleic acid amplification methods that allow the unambiguous detection of the translocation in a tissue sample. Such assays may be developed based on nucleic acid sequence information presented here. However, it is clear that using the teachings of the present invention, i.e., the identification of the breakpoint and the methods and means to do so, additional nucleic acid sequence information on the region surrounding the breakpoint can be obtained and the use of such sequence information for the development of detection assays for the translocation falls within the scope of the present invention. The term “complementary primer” means a primer that can hybridize to another sequence under relatively mild hybridization conditions, i.e., hybridization conditions that allow nucleic acids with sequences with some mismatches to hybridize to each other. The number of mismatches among others determines the specificity and the efficiency of polymerization. A complementary primer should comprise not more than 30% mismatches, preferably not more than 20% and more preferably not more than 10%. Preferably, the primer does not comprise mismatches.

[0016] Amplification methods that may be used in a method of the invention include but are not limited to polymerase chain reaction, NASBA and intracellular PCR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1: Cytogenetics and YAC characterization of the t(11;18).

[0018]FIG. 2: Molecular structure of the t(11;18). The genomic structure of the t(11;18) is shown in panel A. In the center, the MLT gene is shown as the darkly shaded area on the normal 18q; API2 and MMP20 are shown respectively as an open rectangle and a light grey rectangle on the normal 11q (not drawn to scale). Below each gene, the PAC isolated for this gene is shown. For PAC 152M5 the positions of the different BamHI fragments used for FISH experiments are indicated. On top, the rearrangement in case 1 is illustrated: the der(11) fuses the 5′ end of API2 to the 3′ end of MLT, while on the der(18), as a result from the cryptic deletion of chromosome 11, the 5′ end of MLT is fused to the 5′ end of MMP20. The transcriptional orientation of each gene is indicated by an arrow below each chromosome, showing that on the der(18), MLT and MMP20 do have an opposite transcriptional orientation. The genomic fusion fragments which were cloned respectively from the der(11) and the der(18) are indicated by the double lines. Below the rearrangement of case 2 is shown: the der(11) fuses 5′ API2 to 3′ MLT. The breakpoint in API2 is identical to the one in case 1; the breakpoint in MLT occurred upstream of the breakpoint in case 1 (see 2B). FISH experiments suggest that the der(18) is the balanced reciprocal of the der(11). The localizations of all breakpoints are indicated on the normal chromosomes by open triangles.

[0019] Panel B illustrates the structure of the different fusion cDNAs. On top, the structure of API2 is shown with 3 amino-terminal BIR domains separated from the carboxy-terminal RING domain by a CARD domain. The API2 cDNA is truncated after the third BIR domain and fused in frame to MLT. As a result of the heterogeneity of the genomic breakpoints in case 2, 582 additional nucleotides, encoding two Ig-like C2 domains of MLT, are present in this fusion. An Ig gamma VDJ4-like sequence in MLT is shown by a cross-hatched box. The sequence and the translation of the different junction fragments is shown underneath each cDNA.

[0020]FIG. 3: FISH Mapping of the chromosome 11 and 18 breakpoints. A: the hybridization signals of YAC 921 F3 and the BamHI fragment H of PAC 152M5 are both split by the translocation in case 1. Signals of both probes are visible on the derivative chromosomes 11 and 18. B: in case 2, fragment D of PAC 152M5 shows split signals. The centromeric probes for chromosomes 11 and 18 appear. C: in case 1, PAC 532024 is seen on the normal chromosome 11 and on the derivative chromosome 11 (C), whereas this probe is split by the translocation in case 2 (D). The signals of the centromeric probes are shown.

[0021]FIG. 4: Molecular characterization of the fusions. (A) shows the API2-MLT products obtained by RT-PCR from case 1 and case 2. (B) shows the Southern blot detecting the rearranged EcoRI fragments of case 1. The probes were derived from an 8 kb EcoRI clone from chromosome 18 spanning the breakpoint (see FIG. 2A center). Lane 1 shows hybridization with the probe derived proximally to the breakpoint; lane 2 shows hybridization with the probe derived distally to the breakpoint. The arrow shows the normal 8 kb EcoRI fragment; the arrowheads show the chimeric fragments.

[0022]FIG. 5: Sequence of the API2-MLT chimeric cDNA.

[0023]FIG. 6: A) Genomic structure of the MLT gene. A (partial) BamHI and (B) restriction map of PAC 1 52M5 is depicted. The sizes of ordered BamHI fragments are indicated; the last BamHI site of the first lane corresponds to the first one on the second lane. Solid rectangles represent the different MLT exons; their respective number is marked above. Solid lines delineate the MLT introns; their estimated size is specified underneath. The unique SacII site is present in exon 1 of MLT; the size of the fragments obtained after NotI/SacII digestion are indicated. B) Features of API2, MLT and observed API2-MLT fusions of the five cases characterized are shown. API2 contains three amino-terminal BIR domains separated from the carboxy-terminal RING domain by a CARD domain. The arrow indicates the position of the API2 breakpoint observed in all cases, between exon 7 and exon 8. MLT harbors two Ig-like C2 domains and an Ig gamma VDJ4-like sequence.

[0024]FIG. 7: A) The chromosome 11 breakpoints on the der(11) and sequence features of intron 7 of API2. Numbering is according to Acc. No. AF178945. B) Schematic representation of the genomic structure of the API2-MLT and MLT-API2 fusion fragments in five cases (not drawn to scale). Grey and black boxes represent API2 and MLT exons respectively; white boxes represent repetitive elements. Solid black bars define deletions associated with the t(11;18) translocation. When known, the distance between the breakpoint and MLT exons is indicated. Abbreviations for repetitive elements (matching repeat # repeat class/family): AluSx # SINE/Alu (Sx), AluJo # SINE/Alu (Jo), AluSg/x # SINE/Alu (Sg/x), AluY # SINE/Alu (Y), L2 # LINE/L2, MIR # SINE/MIR, FLAM_A # SINE/Alu, L1MC3 # LINE/L1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the amplified product comprises a linked nucleic acid comprising at least part of nucleic acid encoding a MALT-Lymphoma associated Translocation (MLT) protein and at least part of nucleic acid encoding apoptosis inhibitor 2 (API2).

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the tissue sample comprises a lymphocyte, preferably an activated lymphocyte. In a preferred embodiment, the tissue sample comprises digestive tract cells and/or stomach cells.

[0027] In another aspect, the invention provides an isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding a proteinaceous molecule comprising at least API2 or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof fused to at least one other proteinaceous molecule. The other proteinaceous molecule may be any proteinaceous molecule. Preferably, the other proteinaceous molecule comprises a MALT-Lymphoma associated Translocation (MLT) protein or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof. Preferably, the nucleic acid molecule comprises in humans a sequence as depicted in FIG. 5 or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof.

[0028] A nucleic acid of the invention may further comprise other nucleic acid. Other nucleic acid may facilitate cloning or amplification in bacteria. Preferably, the other nucleic acid comprises nucleic acid corresponding in humans to chromosome 11 region q21-22.3 or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof. In this way, the nucleic acid has advantageous properties for FISH analysis. Preferably, the other nucleic acid comprises nucleic acid corresponding in humans to chromosome 18 region q21.1-22 or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof. In this way, the nucleic acid has advantageous properties for FISH analysis.

[0029] The invention further provides a proteinaceous molecule encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention, or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof. The protein may be advantageously used for the at least in part transforming a primary cell, preferably a B-cell and thus enabling and/or facilitating the generation of in vitro growing cell derivatives of the cell. One method of providing a cell with a proteinaceous molecule is through providing the cell with an expressible nucleic acid encoding the proteinaceous molecule and culturing the cell to obtain expression of the proteinaceous molecule. Preferably, the proteinaceous molecule comprises a sequence that, in humans, is a sequence as depicted in FIG. 5, or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof.

[0030] In another aspect, the invention provides an isolated recombinant nucleic acid encoding an MLT protein that, in humans, comprises a sequence as depicted in FIG. 5 or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof. The invention further provides an MLT protein encoded by a nucleic acid mentioned heretofore or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof.

[0031] The invention further provides an antibody specific for a proteinaceous molecule according to the invention. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that antibodies can be generated in many ways once a suitable antigen has been identified. Antibodies can be generated through, for instance, the immunization of an animal or human with a proteinaceous molecule of the invention. Alternatively, suitable peptides can be generated and used using standard protocols used in the art to generate antibodies in a mammal. However, antibodies can also be generated completely artificially from, for instance, libraries of synthetic antibodies, single-chain antibodies, FAB fragment libraries, etc. Suitable antibodies may be isolated from such libraries through techniques known in the art. Furthermore, for the purpose of this invention, any proteinaceous molecule capable of binding to a proteinaceous molecule of the invention is considered an antibody.

[0032] In another aspect, the invention provides the use of a nucleic acid of the invention and/or an antibody of the invention as a probe. The term “probe” refers to a means for detection. A nucleic acid of the invention may be used as a probe, for instance but not limited to, for hybridization to Southern Blot DNA of cells or for in situ hybridization of cells to determine the presence of DNA complementary to the nucleic acid. Information regarding the presence of such DNA may be used for determining the presence or absence of cells comprising the (11:18) translocation. Similarly, an antibody of the invention may be used for the determination of cells expressing a proteinaceous molecule of the invention.

[0033] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for at least in part improving an immune response against an antigen comprising providing an immune cell comprising an immune property specific for the antigen with an expressible nucleic acid of the invention.

[0034] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for at least in part preventing apoptosis in a cell comprising providing the cell with an expressible nucleic acid of the invention.

[0035] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a nucleic delivery vehicle comprising a nucleic acid according to the invention. Preferably, the nucleic acid delivery vehicle comprises a virus particle, preferably an adenovirus particle, an adeno-associated virus particle and/or a retrovirus particle.

[0036] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a cell comprising a nucleic acid according to the invention and/or a proteinaceous molecule according to the invention.

[0037] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a transgenic animal comprising a nucleic acid according to the invention. The transgenic animal can be any known non-human animal and is preferably a mouse as is exemplified further.

[0038] The invention is further explained by the use of the following, illustrative Examples.

EXAMPLES 1. Characterization of the 11q21 and 18q21 Translocation and Cloning of the Fusion Genes

[0039] Material and Methods

[0040] Tumor Specimens

[0041] Two cases of low-grade extranodal gastrointestinal MALT lymphomas displaying the t(11;18)(q21;q21) were selected from the files of the Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Belgium, and the Department of Hematology, University of Salamanca, Spain, based on the availability of metaphase spreads and frozen tumor tissue. Case 1 presented with an extended multifocal gastrointestinal MALT lymphoma involving the stomach, the small and large bowel, and the mesenteric lymph nodes. Case 2 was diagnosed with a gastric MALT lymphoma with secondary involvement of the spleen, the bone marrow, and the peripheral blood. Both cases revealed H. pylori-associated gastritis and showed the typical morphology and immunophenotype of marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of MALT type including the characteristic tumor cell composition, extension of the marginal zones by tumor cells, follicular colonization, lymphoepithelial lesions, expression of IgM, CD 19, CD2O, Igk light chain restriction, and negativity for CD5, CD 10, and CD23.²

[0042] Cytogenetic Analysis

[0043] Cytogenetic analysis was performed as described¹¹ utilizing tissue of a small bowel biopsy (case 1) and the spleen specimen (case 2). Both cases showed the t(11;18)(q21;q21) as the sole cytogenetic abnormality (case 1: 46,XY,t(11;18)(q21;q21) [17]/46,XY [3]; case 2: 46,XX,t(11;18)(q21;q21) [6]/46,X [14]). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed as previously described.²⁵ Chromosomes 11 and 18 were identified by cohybridization with chromosome 11 (pLC11A) and 18 (L1.84) specific alpha-satellite probes in combination with G-banding using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-dihydrochloride (DAPI) counterstain.

[0044] Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC) Clones

[0045] YAC clones derived from the Centre dEtude du Polymorphism Human (CEPH) human mega YAC library were selected from the YAC contig reported by Chumakov et al.²⁶ and data obtained from the Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research. In addition, YAC A1 53A6 hybridizing to the BCL2 gene located at 18q21²⁷ and a probe specific for the MLL gene on 11q23 (Oncor, Gaithersburg, Md.) were used. Human YAC inserts were selectively amplified using Alu-polymerase chain reaction (PCR).²⁸ In order to confirm their cytogenetic position and to determine the relative order of the YAC clones, pairs of differentially labeled YACs were hybridized to normal metaphase spreads obtained from PHA-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes of a healthy donor.

[0046] P1 Artificial Chromosome (PAC) and Plasmid Clones

[0047] PAC clones were isolated by screening high-density filters from the RPCI libraries with ³²P-labeled probes. A walking strategy was used to extend the map. PAC end-fragments were rescued using a vectorette ligation approach.²⁹ The presence of the STS in the relevant PACs was confirmed by PCR and each PAC was analyzed by FISH on normal metaphase spreads.

[0048] BamHI subclones of PAC 152M5 were generated by ligation of gel-purified fragments in pUC18 (Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden) and transformation into XL10-gold cells (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). A BamHI restriction map was generated by comparing the sequence of the ends of the BamHI fragments to the sequence of random 1 kb subclones selected for containing the BamHI restriction sites. To generate random subclones of PAC 152M5, DNA was sheared by sonication and the fraction around 1 kb was gel-purified (Qiaquick Gel Extraction, Qiagen), blunted and ligated in pUC18, and transformed into XL1-blue cells.

[0049] Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR and Cloning

[0050] Total RNA was extracted from respectively tumor-infiltrated gastrointestinal and splenic tissue using the Trizol Reagent (Life Technologies, Inc., Rockville, Md.). First strand cDNA was reverse transcribed from 1 μg of total RNA with Murine Moloney Leukemia Virus reverse transcriptase (Life Technologies, Inc., Rockville, Md.) according to standard procedures using a random hexamer primer. After size fractionation on Microspin S-400 HR columns (Pharmacia Biotech), a poly-A tail was added to the first strand cDNA with dATP and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany). Double-stranded cDNA was then generated using standard procedures with primer R2T8 (5′ CCAGTGAGCAGAGTGACGAGGACTCGAGCTCAAGCTTTTTTTT 3′ (SEQ ID NO:1)). Nested PCR was performed respectively using primers MLTr1 (5′ CCTTCTGCAACTTCATCCAG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:2)) and MLTr2 (5′ ATGGATTTGGAGCATCAACG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:3)) in combination with primers R2F1 (5′ CCAGTGAGCAGAGTGACG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:4)) and R2F2 (5′ GAGGACTCGAGCTCAAGC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:5)). Amplification products were cloned in pGEM T-easy (Promega, Madison, Wis.).

[0051] The API2-MLT fusion was confirmed by RT-PCR on patient RNA using the Titan RT-PCR system (Boehringer Mannheim) with primers API2fl (5′ CCAAGTGGTTTCCAAGGTGT 3′ (SEQ ID NO:6)) and MLTr2 and by sequence analysis of the cloned amplification products. A partial MLT cDNA was isolated by 3′ RACE on cDNA of patient 1. Several overlapping clones were analyzed to obtain the 3′ end sequences of MLT (Genbank accession no. AF 130356).

[0052] Results

[0053] FISH Characterization of the 11q21 and 18q21 Translocation

[0054] Twelve YACs derived from the chromosomal region 11q12-22.3 and the MLL probe were hybridized to metaphase spreads of case 1. FIG. 1 shows their relative position in relation to the t(11;18) breakpoints. The hybridization signals of YACs 906C5 and 921F3 were split by the translocation. Subsequent analysis showed that YACs 906C5 and 921F3 also spanned the translocation breakpoint of case 2.

[0055] From the 9 YACs assigned to 18q21.1-22, five hybridized centromeric and two (including A153A6 containing the BCL2 gene) telomeric to the translocation breakpoint (see FIG. 1). The hybridization signals of YACs 949B6 and 817C6 were split by the translocation in both cases. YAC 949B6 contains 3 ordered STSs (cen-D18S887-D18S1055-D18S1129-tel). FISH experiments with PAC clones isolated for these STSs positioned the chromosome 18 breakpoint in case 1 between D18S1055 and D18S1129. A walking strategy initiated from both markers led to the identification of PAC 205G9 and 152M5, which were shown to be split by the t(11;18) in both cases. The breakpoints were further narrowed down by FISH analysis with BamHI fragments subcloned from PAC 152M5 (FIG. 2A). In case 1, fragment H was split by the translocation, whereas in case 2, the breakpoint could be mapped to fragment D (FIGS. 3A-D).

[0056] Cloning of the Fusion Genes

[0057] In order to identify genes on chromosome 18q in the vicinity of the breakpoints, the sequences derived from short random subclones from the BamHI fragments D, B, H and F were compared to the nucleotide databases. Subclone F24, mapping telomeric to the breakpoint, contained a 178 bp fragment identical to a single EST (IMAGE cDNA clone 1420842, GenBank accession no. AA826328) that resembles a hypothetical Caenorhabditis elegans gene (F22D3.6, Acc. No. U28993). The presence of canonical 5′ and 3′ splice sequences flanking the 178 bp suggested that this represented an exon of a human gene. A second exon with similarity to the same C. elegans gene product was predicted by computer analysis of subclone B9, located centromerically to the breakpoint in case 1. RT-PCR experiments confirmed that both exons were part of the same human transcript and indicated the disruption of this gene (named MLT for MALT-Lymphoma associated Translocation) by the translocation in case 1.

[0058] To identify an eventual chromosome 11 fusion partner for MLT, cDNA transcribed from RNA of case 1 was then used in 5′ RACE experiments with two nested primers (MLTr1 and r2) derived from MLT sequences telomeric to the breakpoint. The amplification products were cloned and eight clones with an average insert length of 800 bp were sequenced. Five clones contained only MLT sequences. The three remaining clones showed a fusion of MLT sequences to the 5′ part of the API2 gene, an inhibitor of apoptosis mapped to chromosome 11q22. The API2 protein contains three copies of the baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) at its amino-terminus and a caspase recruitment domain or CARD³⁰ followed by a carboxy-terminal zinc binding RING finger domain.³¹ The chimeric API2-MLT transcript contains base pairs 1-1446 of API2 (Genbank accession no. L49432) fused in frame with bp 583 of the partial MLT cDNA (Genbank accession no. AF130356). At the protein level, the first 441 AA of API2, containing the 3 BIR domains, are fused to the carboxy-terminal part of MLT (FIG. 2B).

[0059] Primers derived from the API2 and MLT cDNA sequences (M&M) were then used to confirm this fusion directly by RT-PCR. An amplification product with the expected size (445 bp) and sequence was obtained for patient 1, confirming the existence of the chimeric API2-MLT transcript. In contrast, using the same primers, a 1000 bp RT-PCR product was obtained with the RNA sample of the second patient (FIG. 4A). Sequence analysis of the cloned product again confirmed an API2-MLT fusion with a continuous open reading frame. The breakpoint in the API2 gene occurred at the same position as described for patient 1. The chimeric cDNA, however, contained an additional 582 bp MLT sequence in agreement with the more centromeric localization of the 18q breakpoint in this case as defined by FISH (FIG. 2B).

[0060] To complete the sequence of the chimeric mRNA, 3′ RACE experiments were performed. The consensus cDNA sequences for both API2/MLT fusions are shown in FIG. 5.

[0061] Absence of a Reciprocal MLT-API2 Transcript

[0062] To analyze the genomic events leading to the expression of a chimeric API2-MLT transcript, we cloned the genomic breakpoints of case 1. To this aim, an 8 kb EcoRI fragment spanning the breakpoint was subcloned from fragment H. Southern hybridization with the 5′ and the 3′ end fragments of this clone detected rearranged EcoRI fragments of respectively 6 kb containing the 5′ end of MLT and 10 kb containing the 3′ end of MLT (FIG. 4B). Long-distance inverse PCR³² was used to amplify the genomic chromosome 11 sequences present in both chimeric fragments and PAC clones corresponding to these chromosome 11 sequences were isolated. To our surprise, two independent sets of PAC clones were obtained. PAC 532024 was isolated using chromosome 11 sequences derived from the der(11). This PAC was shown to contain the 5′ end of API2. FISH experiments with this PAC yielded signals on the normal 11 and the der(11) of case 1. PAC 49A7, obtained with chromosome 11 sequences derived from the der(18), however, did not contain API2 and sequencing showed that this clone contained the MMP20 gene instead (FIG. 2B). FISH experiments with this clone on case 1 resulted in fluorescent signals on the normal 11 and the der(18). Taken together, these data show that, in case 1, the t(11;18) is associated with a cryptic deletion of chromosome 11 sequences distal to the breakpoint, resulting in the absence of an MLT-API2 fusion. These data are in agreement with a localization of the MMP gene cluster telomeric to API2. As the exact distance is not known, we cannot estimate the size of the deletion. Sequencing of the der(18) fusion fragment showed that the MLT gene and the MMP20 gene are on opposite strands of the genome, thereby excluding the expression of an MLT-MMP20 transcript. FISH experiments on case 2 detected a signal for the PAC 532024 on the normal 11, the der(11) and the der(18) consistent with the occurrence of a balanced translocation and a breakpoint in API2. PAC 49A7 yielded fluorescent signals on the normal 11 and the der(18) consistent with the localization of the MMP20 gene distally to API2.

2. Evaluation of the Oncogenic Properties of the API2-MLT Fusion

[0063] Two strategies are applied to evaluate the oncogenic properties of the API2-MLT fusion in vivo.

[0064] In a first approach, we generate via a bone marrow transplant (“BMT”) mice that express the API2-MLT fusion in their bone marrow cells. Lethally irradiated recipient mice are rescued by transplantation with donor bone marrow that are earlier retrovirally infected with a construct that expresses the API2-MLT fusion protein.

[0065] In a second approach, the API2-MLT fusion is introduced in a germline of mice through a human chromosomal vector (HCV). After incorporation of an API2-MLT fusion construct in the HCV via Cre-mediated homologous recombination in hamster cells, the vector is shuffled via microcell-mediated chromosome transfer to mouse ES cells for the generation of transchromosomal (transgenic) mice. B-cell specific expression of the API2-MLT fusion protein is achieved by using a B-cell specific promoter or by removal of a repressor element via a recombinase-mediated system driven by a B-cell specific promoter.

[0066] The mice models are used to assess the role of antigen triggering in the development and growth of gastric MALT lymphomas by infection with Helicobacter felis. Mice developing lymphoma provide the appropriate model to evaluate antibiotic therapies and therapies based on immune responses to the fusion protein.

3. Structure of the MLT Gene and Molecular Characterization of the Genomic Breakpoint Junctions in the t(11;18)(q21;q21) of Marginal Zone B-cell Lymphomas of MALT Type

[0067] The present example relates to the characterization of the genomic organization of the MLT gene. The information is used to amplify the genomic breakpoint junctions for five MALT-type lymphomas with t(11;18)(q21;q21). Sequences near the breakpoint junctions do not yield evidence for the participation of site-specific recombinases or Alu-mediated homologous recombination in the generation of the t(11;18). Clustering of the breakpoints in intron 7 of API2 and the consistency of “in-frame” API2-MLT fusions therefore point to a selective advantage associated with these fusions which leads to their clonal outgrowth.

[0068] Materials and Methods

[0069] Patients

[0070] Five patients with gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT-type were investigated. The t(11;18) was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis for the API2-MLT fusion transcript (Baens et al. 2000). Cases 4 and 1 are cases 1 and 2 respectively of a previous study (Dierlamm et al. 1999). The features of the API2-MLT fusions for these five cases are depicted in FIG. 6B. Genomic DNA was extracted by using a standard isolation procedure (Sambrook et al. 1989) from 5 sections of 25 microns thick, taken from a frozen tissue block comprising the lymphoma.

[0071] The Genomic Structure of MLT

[0072] A fetal kidney cDNA library in λgt11 was screened with a 5′ MLT probe to determine the full open reading frame of the MLT gene. MLT cDNAs for the entire open reading frame were used as probes on high-density filters containing 1 kb subclones of PAC 152M5. Purified PAC DNA was sonicated and the ends were blunted by successive treatment with respectively T4 DNA polymerase (AP Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden) and Klenow DNA polymerase (AP Biotech) in the presence of the 4 dNTPs. The fraction between 800 and 1500 bp was gel-purified (Qiaquick Gel Extraction, Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and cloned into pUC18, linearized with SmaI and dephosphorylated (AP Biotech). Subclones identified by the MLT cDNA probes were sequenced to determine the exon-intron junctions. A vectorette PCR approach (Riley et al. 1990) was applied to amplify exon-intron boundaries absent in the subclone library.

[0073] Nucleotide sequencing reactions were carried out by dideoxynucleotide chain-termination with FITC-dATP or fluorescently labeled primers and analyzed on an Automated Laser Fluorescence sequencer (AP Biotech). Sequences were aligned with the Seqman software (DNAstar Inc.). Repeatmasker software developed by the University of Washington was used to identify repetitive elements.

[0074] Characterization of the Genomic API2-MLT and MLT-API2 Fusion Fragments

[0075] Nested or heminested amplification was performed using the Expand Long Template PCR System according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Del.). Primers used for amplification are summarized in Table 2. PCR amplification products were gel-purified (Qiaquick Gel Extraction, Qiagen), phosphorylated with T4 polynucleotide kinase (AP Biotech) and sonicated, and the fraction between 800 and 1500 bp was gel purified and cloned in pUC18/SmaI/BAP (AP Biotech). Intron 7 of API2 was amplified using primers API2-1374f and API2-1546r with as template DNA of PAC 523024, containing the API2 gene. Subcloning and sequencing was performed as described above. The genomic API2-MLT and MLT-MMP20 fusion fragments of case 4 were characterized in a previous study (Dierlamm et al. 1999).

[0076] Results

[0077] The Genomic Structure of the MLT Gene

[0078] The present invention discloses an MLT consensus cDNA sequence of 2491 bp (Genbank Accession number AF130356). A fetal kidney cDNA library was screened with a 5′ cDNA probe and two hybridizing clones were identified. Sequence analysis revealed additional 5′ sequences with an “in frame” ATG start codon at position 165 (Genbank Accession number AF130356). To determine the genomic organization of MLT, we generated a 1 kb subclone library of PAC 152M5 containing the MLT gene. Southern hybridizations confirmed the presence of 5′ and 3′ MLT sequences in this PAC clone. MLT cDNAs were used as probes on high-density filters containing the 1 kb subclones of PAC 152M5. Sequence analysis of hybridizing clones yielded the flanking intron sequences for all exons except exon 14 (3′ acceptor of preceding intron missing). A vectorette PCR approach (Riley et al. 1990) was applied to characterize the missing boundary for exon 14. Base pairs 1-373 of the consensus cDNA sequence belong to exon 1 and show a high GC content (78%) with 48 CpG dinucleotides and recognition sequences for several rare cutting restriction enzymes (SacII, NarI, NaeI). In total, 17 exons all flanked by canonical splice donor and acceptor sites were identified (Table 1). The size of the introns was estimated by long range PCR with exon specific primers and/or restriction mapping. It shows that the MLT gene is approximately 80 kb in size (Table 1 and FIG. 6A).

[0079] The Genomic Breakpoint Junctions for 5 MALT-Type Lymphomas with t(11;18)

[0080] Five marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of MALT-type were selected from 11 cases identified with an API2-MLT fusion as part of large screening of gastric lymphomas (Baens et al. 2000). All 11 cases had their chromosome 11 breakpoint in the 5 kb intron between exon 7 and 8 of API2 (exon numbering according to Young et al. 1999). The genomic structure of MLT shows that the chromosome 18 breakpoint in these cases occurs upstream of exon 3, 5, 8 or 9 respectively and that the intron sizes permit amplification of the genomic fusion fragments using API2 and MLT exon primers (Table 2). Genomic DNA extracted from a frozen tissue block comprising the lymphoma was used as a template. Nested or heminested amplification yielded the genomic API2-MLT and MLT-API2 amplification products for all cases, except for case 2 where no MLT-API2 fragment could be amplified (Table 2). All fragments were partially sequenced until the breakpoint junctions were detected by comparison with the intron 7 sequence of API2 (Acc. No. AF178945). The sequence of the latter was determined from a 5 kb PCR fragment amplified from PAC 532024 with primers for exon 7 and 8 of API2 (Table 2). Sequences fused to API2 were then used to screen high-density filters containing the 1 kb subclones of PAC 152M5 to obtain the MLT sequences flanking the breakpoint.

[0081] The genomic breakpoints on chromosome 11 are scattered in intron 7 of API2 (FIG. 7A). Sequence analysis of the der(18) junction showed that the MLT gene is fused to MMP20 (Matrix MetalloProteinase 20). However, both genes are transcribed in opposite orientations which exclude the expression of an MLT-MMP20 fusion transcript. Sequence analysis of the API2-MLT fusion further indicated a deletion (2.3 kb) of chromosome 18 sequences (FIG. 7B). Deletions of chromosome 18 sequences were also observed for case 5 (350 bp) and case 3 (around 5 kb), in the latter case simultaneously with a small deletion of chromosome 11 sequences (53 bp) (FIG. 7B). No MLT-API2 amplification product was obtained for case 2. Based on the position of the der(11) breakpoint, the expected fragment is at most 5 kb and thus well within amplification range, which suggests a deletion of chromosome 11 sequences including exon 8 of API2. The latter is supported by FISH experiments with PAC 166G16 for API2 which yielded hybridization signals on the normal chromosome 11 and the der(11), but not the der(18). Identical FISH results were previously obtained for case 4 where the translocation was associated with a deletion of chromosome 11 sequences (>200 kb), which explains the absence of hybridization signals on the der(18) (Dierlamm et al. 1999). Only the translocation in case 1 is not associated with chromosomal loss (FIG. 7B).

[0082] Characteristic Sequences Near the Breakpoints

[0083] Computer-based FINDPATTERN® searches were performed to identify sequence motifs that might reveal a common mechanism for DNA breakage and rejoining. In lymphoid neoplasms, the presence of heptamer-nonamer recombination signals at or near the breakpoints suggests the involvement of V(D)J recombinase activity in the illegitimate recombination events leading to these translocations (Tycko and Sklar 1990). We did not find appropriate antigen receptor gene-like signals within the chromosome 11 and 18 sequences flanking the breakpoint junctions. The absence of non-template N nucleotides at the fusion junctions, characteristic for V(D)J recombination, further argues against its involvement.

[0084] Several other sequence motifs that could potentially infer recombination or genetic instability leading to chromosomal translocation have been reported, such as the DNA topoisomerase II binding and cleavage site (Negrini et al. 1993; Gu et al. 1994; Domer et al. 1995) χ-like sequences (Wyatt et al. 1992), the translin-binding consensus sequence (Jaeger et al. 1993; Aoki et al. 1995) and alternating polypurine-polypyrimidine stretches (Boehm et al. 1989; Thandla et al. 1999; Wiemels and Greaves 1999; Thandla et al. 1999; Wiemels and Greaves 1999). None of these sites were consistently present near the breakpoint junctions. An 18/18 bp match for the topoisomerase II consensus sequence was only observed for case 1. Degenerated sequences (15 to 16 bp match on 18) were identified on one or both participating chromosomes for 4 out of 5 cases, but their position relative to the breakpoint does not imply any causality. Based on the same criteria, a recombination event mediated by χ-like elements could be excluded. Furthermore, no regions homologous to the Translin-binding consensus sequence or with alternating polypurine/polypyrimidine stretches were apparent.

[0085] Homologous recombination between human Alu repeats located on the same or different chromosomes has been reported to cause chromosomal translocations (Jeffs et al. 1998; Strout et al. 1998). Alu repeats are also often observed in the vicinity of breakpoints and it is speculated that their mutual attraction juxtaposes these different chromosomal regions and in this way facilitates recurrent rearrangements between them (Obata et al. 1999). Repetitive sequences near the breakpoint junctions were identified using REPEATMASKER® and are summarized in FIGS. 7A and B. In two cases (4 and 5), the breakpoint in intron 7 of API2 occurred in an AluSx repeat, although a different one, but no AluSx sequences were found close to the breakpoint site on chromosome 18. Case 1 had a breakpoint in a copy of an AluSx repeat on chromosome 18 but the break in intron 7 of API2 was 558 bp upstream of the second AluSx repeat. For the remaining 2 cases (2, 3), AluSx repeats were detected close to the breakpoints on both chromosomes. For case 2, only the der(11) was characterized as no MLT-API2 amplification product was obtained. The breakpoint was located 400 bp downstream from an AluSx repeat on chromosome 11 and 52 bp upstream from an AluSx repeat in intron 4 of MLT. The der(11) breakpoint for case 3 was located 291 bp upstream from an AluSx repeat on chromosome 11 and 160 bp downstream from an AluSx on chromosome 18. Due to deletions affecting both chromosomes, the der(18) breakpoint was situated 238 bp upstream from an AluSx on chromosome 11 and in an AluY repeat in intron 4 of the MLT gene (FIG. 7B).

TABLE 2 PCR primers used for long distance amplification of API2-MLT and MLT-API2 genomic fusions. API2-MLT Primer Locus Size (kb) Sequence 1r API2-1266f Exon 7 5′-ATTAATGCTGCCGTGGAAAT 2r API2-1301f Exon 7 (SEQ ID NO:41) 5′-CCTGGTAAAACAGACAGTTCAGA (SEQ ID NO:42) case 1 MLT-i2r1 Intron 5′-CAGGTGGTGGATAACGTGGAGTTT 1r MLT-i2r2 2 8 (SEQ ID NO:43) 2r Intron 5′-CACAAATCTGCCTGGCCAGAGAAG 2 (SEQ ID NO:44) case 2/3 MLT-984r Exon 5 5′-GCTTTTTGGTCTCATGTGTTAATG 1r MLT-929r Exon 5 10/7 (SEQ ID NO:45) 2r 5′-AATAGGGCTTCCAACAGCAA (SEQ ID NO 46) case 4 MLT-1147r Exon 8 5 5′-GGATGACCAAGATTATTTAATTCA 1-2r (SEQ ID NO:47) case 5 MLT-1181r Exon 9 ˜1 5′-CAAAGGCTGGTCAGTTGTTTG 1-2r (SEQ ID NO :48) MLT-API2 Primer Locus Sequence 1r API2-1684r Exon 8 5′-AACACAGCTTCAGCTTCTTGC (SEQ ID NO:49) 2r API2-1546r Exon 8 5′-TTAATAATTCCGGCAGTTAGTAGAC (SEQ ID NO:50) case 1 MLT-i2f1 Intron 5′-GGTTGAGCTTGGAAAGACAAAGG 1r 2 (SEQ ID NO:51) 2r MLT-i2f2 Intron 6 5′-ACCTGATGCACTCTATTTTACGTGG 2 (SEQ ID NO:52) case2/3 MLT-717f Exon 4 5′-GCAGGCTTTTATGTCTGTCG 1r (SEQ ID NO:53) 2r MLT-757f Exon 4 2.2 5′-TTGAATTCAGCCAGTGGTCA (SEQ ID NO:54) case 4 previously 0.65 (Dierlamm done et al, 1999) case 5 MLT-i8fl Intron 5′-CTTTTGTAAATAGCCACCACTAAGATT 1r 8 (SEQ ID NO:55) 2r MLT-i8f2 Intron 5 5′-TTCCCACAATTCAGGGAGTACCAAA 8 (SEQ ID NO:56)

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0 SEQUENCE LISTING <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 56 <210> SEQ ID NO 1 <211> LENGTH: 43 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer R2T8 <400> SEQUENCE: 1 ccagtgagca gagtgacgag gactcgagct caagcttttt ttt 43 <210> SEQ ID NO 2 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLTr1 <400> SEQUENCE: 2 ccttctgcaa cttcatccag 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 3 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLTr2 <400> SEQUENCE: 3 atggatttgg agcatcaacg 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 4 <211> LENGTH: 18 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer R2F1 <400> SEQUENCE: 4 ccagtgagca gagtgacg 18 <210> SEQ ID NO 5 <211> LENGTH: 18 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer R2F2 <400> SEQUENCE: 5 gaggactcga gctcaagc 18 <210> SEQ ID NO 6 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer API2f1 <400> SEQUENCE: 6 ccaagtggtt tccaaggtgt 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 7 <211> LENGTH: 3734 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)..(1446) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: API2 cDNA sequence <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1447)..(2059) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: MLT <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (123)..(3545) <400> SEQUENCE: 7 gggcagcagg tttacaaagg aggaaaacga cttcttctag attttttttt cagtttcttc 60 tataaatcaa aactacctcc ctagagaaag gctagtccct tttcttcccc attcatttca 120 tt atg aac ata gta gaa aac agc ata ttc tta tca aat ttg atg aaa 167 Met Asn Ile Val Glu Asn Ser Ile Phe Leu Ser Asn Leu Met Lys 1 5 10 15 agc gcc aac acg ttt gaa ctg aaa tac gac ttg tca tgt gaa ctg tac 215 Ser Ala Asn Thr Phe Glu Leu Lys Tyr Asp Leu Ser Cys Glu Leu Tyr 20 25 30 cga atg tct acg tat tcc act ttt cct gct ggg gtc cct gtc tca gaa 263 Arg Met Ser Thr Tyr Ser Thr Phe Pro Ala Gly Val Pro Val Ser Glu 35 40 45 agg agt ctt gct cgc gct ggt ttc tat tac act ggt gtg aat gac aag 311 Arg Ser Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Phe Tyr Tyr Thr Gly Val Asn Asp Lys 50 55 60 gtc aaa tgc ttc tgt tgt ggc ctg atg ctg gat aac tgg aaa aga gga 359 Val Lys Cys Phe Cys Cys Gly Leu Met Leu Asp Asn Trp Lys Arg Gly 65 70 75 gac agt cct act gaa aag cat aaa aag ttg tat cct agc tgc aga ttc 407 Asp Ser Pro Thr Glu Lys His Lys Lys Leu Tyr Pro Ser Cys Arg Phe 80 85 90 95 gtt cag agt cta aat tcc gtt aac aac ttg gaa gct acc tct cag cct 455 Val Gln Ser Leu Asn Ser Val Asn Asn Leu Glu Ala Thr Ser Gln Pro 100 105 110 act ttt cct tct tca gta aca aat tcc aca cac tca tta ctt ccg ggt 503 Thr Phe Pro Ser Ser Val Thr Asn Ser Thr His Ser Leu Leu Pro Gly 115 120 125 aca gaa aac agt gga tat ttc cgt ggc tct tat tca aac tct cca tca 551 Thr Glu Asn Ser Gly Tyr Phe Arg Gly Ser Tyr Ser Asn Ser Pro Ser 130 135 140 aat cct gta aac tcc aga gca aat caa gat ttt tct gcc ttg atg aga 599 Asn Pro Val Asn Ser Arg Ala Asn Gln Asp Phe Ser Ala Leu Met Arg 145 150 155 agt tcc tac cac tgt gca atg aat aac gaa aat gcc aga tta ctt act 647 Ser Ser Tyr His Cys Ala Met Asn Asn Glu Asn Ala Arg Leu Leu Thr 160 165 170 175 ttt cag aca tgg cca ttg act ttt ctg tcg cca aca gat ctg gca aaa 695 Phe Gln Thr Trp Pro Leu Thr Phe Leu Ser Pro Thr Asp Leu Ala Lys 180 185 190 gca ggc ttt tac tac ata gga cct gga gac aga gtg gct tgc ttt gcc 743 Ala Gly Phe Tyr Tyr Ile Gly Pro Gly Asp Arg Val Ala Cys Phe Ala 195 200 205 tgt ggt gga aaa ttg agc aat tgg gaa ccg aag gat aat gct atg tca 791 Cys Gly Gly Lys Leu Ser Asn Trp Glu Pro Lys Asp Asn Ala Met Ser 210 215 220 gaa cac ctg aga cat ttt ccc aaa tgc cca ttt ata gaa aat cag ctt 839 Glu His Leu Arg His Phe Pro Lys Cys Pro Phe Ile Glu Asn Gln Leu 225 230 235 caa gac act tca aga tac aca gtt tct aat ctg agc atg cag aca cat 887 Gln Asp Thr Ser Arg Tyr Thr Val Ser Asn Leu Ser Met Gln Thr His 240 245 250 255 gca gcc cgc ttt aaa aca ttc ttt aac tgg ccc tct agt gtt cta gtt 935 Ala Ala Arg Phe Lys Thr Phe Phe Asn Trp Pro Ser Ser Val Leu Val 260 265 270 aat cct gag cag ctt gca agt gcg ggt ttt tat tat gtg ggt aac agt 983 Asn Pro Glu Gln Leu Ala Ser Ala Gly Phe Tyr Tyr Val Gly Asn Ser 275 280 285 gat gat gtc aaa tgc ttt tgc tgt gat ggt gga ctc agg tgt tgg gaa 1031 Asp Asp Val Lys Cys Phe Cys Cys Asp Gly Gly Leu Arg Cys Trp Glu 290 295 300 tct gga gat gat cca tgg gtt caa cat gcc aag tgg ttt cca agg tgt 1079 Ser Gly Asp Asp Pro Trp Val Gln His Ala Lys Trp Phe Pro Arg Cys 305 310 315 gag tac ttg ata aga att aaa gga cag gag ttc atc cgt caa gtt caa 1127 Glu Tyr Leu Ile Arg Ile Lys Gly Gln Glu Phe Ile Arg Gln Val Gln 320 325 330 335 gcc agt tac cct cat cta ctt gaa cag ctg cta tcc aca tca gac agc 1175 Ala Ser Tyr Pro His Leu Leu Glu Gln Leu Leu Ser Thr Ser Asp Ser 340 345 350 cca gga gat gaa aat gca gag tca tca att atc cat ttt gaa cct gga 1223 Pro Gly Asp Glu Asn Ala Glu Ser Ser Ile Ile His Phe Glu Pro Gly 355 360 365 gaa gac cat tca gaa gat gca atc atg atg aat act cct gtg att aat 1271 Glu Asp His Ser Glu Asp Ala Ile Met Met Asn Thr Pro Val Ile Asn 370 375 380 gct gcc gtg gaa atg ggc ttt agt aga agc ctg gta aaa cag aca gtt 1319 Ala Ala Val Glu Met Gly Phe Ser Arg Ser Leu Val Lys Gln Thr Val 385 390 395 cag aga aaa atc cta gca act gga gag aat tat aga cta gtc aat gat 1367 Gln Arg Lys Ile Leu Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn Tyr Arg Leu Val Asn Asp 400 405 410 415 ctt gtg tta gac tta ctc aat gca gaa gat gaa ata agg gaa gag gag 1415 Leu Val Leu Asp Leu Leu Asn Ala Glu Asp Glu Ile Arg Glu Glu Glu 420 425 430 aga gaa aga gca act gag gaa aaa gaa tca aga ata aag att act gta 1463 Arg Glu Arg Ala Thr Glu Glu Lys Glu Ser Arg Ile Lys Ile Thr Val 435 440 445 aac cca gag tca aag gca gtc ttg gct gga cag ttt gtg aaa ctg tgt 1511 Asn Pro Glu Ser Lys Ala Val Leu Ala Gly Gln Phe Val Lys Leu Cys 450 455 460 tgc cgg gca act gga cat cct ttt gtt caa tat cag tgg ttc aaa atg 1559 Cys Arg Ala Thr Gly His Pro Phe Val Gln Tyr Gln Trp Phe Lys Met 465 470 475 aat aaa gag att cca aat gga aat aca tca gag ctt att ttt aat gca 1607 Asn Lys Glu Ile Pro Asn Gly Asn Thr Ser Glu Leu Ile Phe Asn Ala 480 485 490 495 gtg cat gta aaa gat gca ggc ttt tat gtc tgt cga gtt aat aac aat 1655 Val His Val Lys Asp Ala Gly Phe Tyr Val Cys Arg Val Asn Asn Asn 500 505 510 ttc acc ttt gaa ttc agc cag tgg tca cag ctg gat gtt tgc gac atc 1703 Phe Thr Phe Glu Phe Ser Gln Trp Ser Gln Leu Asp Val Cys Asp Ile 515 520 525 cca gag agc ttc cag aga agt gtt gat ggc gtc tct gaa tcc aag ttg 1751 Pro Glu Ser Phe Gln Arg Ser Val Asp Gly Val Ser Glu Ser Lys Leu 530 535 540 caa atc tgt gtt gaa cca act tcc caa aag ctg atg cca ggc agc aca 1799 Gln Ile Cys Val Glu Pro Thr Ser Gln Lys Leu Met Pro Gly Ser Thr 545 550 555 ttg gtt tta cag tgt gtt gct gtt gga agc cct att cct cac tac cag 1847 Leu Val Leu Gln Cys Val Ala Val Gly Ser Pro Ile Pro His Tyr Gln 560 565 570 575 tgg ttc aaa aat gaa tta cca tta aca cat gag acc aaa aag cta tac 1895 Trp Phe Lys Asn Glu Leu Pro Leu Thr His Glu Thr Lys Lys Leu Tyr 580 585 590 atg gtg cct tat gtg gat ttg gaa cac caa gga acc tac tgg tgt cat 1943 Met Val Pro Tyr Val Asp Leu Glu His Gln Gly Thr Tyr Trp Cys His 595 600 605 gta tat aat gat cga gac agt caa gat agc aag aag gta gaa atc atc 1991 Val Tyr Asn Asp Arg Asp Ser Gln Asp Ser Lys Lys Val Glu Ile Ile 610 615 620 ata gga aga aca gat gag gca gtg gag tgc act gaa gat gaa tta aat 2039 Ile Gly Arg Thr Asp Glu Ala Val Glu Cys Thr Glu Asp Glu Leu Asn 625 630 635 aat ctt ggt cat cct gat aat aaa gag caa aca act gac cag cct ttg 2087 Asn Leu Gly His Pro Asp Asn Lys Glu Gln Thr Thr Asp Gln Pro Leu 640 645 650 655 gcg aag gac aag gtt gcc ctt ttg ata gga aat atg aat tac cgg gag 2135 Ala Lys Asp Lys Val Ala Leu Leu Ile Gly Asn Met Asn Tyr Arg Glu 660 665 670 cac ccc aag ctc aaa gct cct ttg gtg gat gtg tac gaa ttg act aac 2183 His Pro Lys Leu Lys Ala Pro Leu Val Asp Val Tyr Glu Leu Thr Asn 675 680 685 tta ctg aga cag ctg gac ttc aaa gtg gtt tca ctg ttg gat ctt act 2231 Leu Leu Arg Gln Leu Asp Phe Lys Val Val Ser Leu Leu Asp Leu Thr 690 695 700 gaa tat gag atg cgt aat gct gtg gat gag ttt tta ctc ctt tta gac 2279 Glu Tyr Glu Met Arg Asn Ala Val Asp Glu Phe Leu Leu Leu Leu Asp 705 710 715 aag gga gta tat ggg tta tta tat tat gca gga cat ggt tat gaa aat 2327 Lys Gly Val Tyr Gly Leu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Gly His Gly Tyr Glu Asn 720 725 730 735 ttt ggg aac agc ttc atg gtc ccc gtt gat gct cca aat cca tat agg 2375 Phe Gly Asn Ser Phe Met Val Pro Val Asp Ala Pro Asn Pro Tyr Arg 740 745 750 tct gaa aat tgt ctg tgt gta caa aat ata ctg aaa ttg atg caa gaa 2423 Ser Glu Asn Cys Leu Cys Val Gln Asn Ile Leu Lys Leu Met Gln Glu 755 760 765 aaa gaa act gga ctt aat gtg ttc tta ttg gat atg tgt agg aaa aga 2471 Lys Glu Thr Gly Leu Asn Val Phe Leu Leu Asp Met Cys Arg Lys Arg 770 775 780 aat gac tac gat gat acc att cca atc ttg gat gca cta aaa gtc acc 2519 Asn Asp Tyr Asp Asp Thr Ile Pro Ile Leu Asp Ala Leu Lys Val Thr 785 790 795 gcc aat att gtg ttt gga tat gcc acg tgt caa gga gca gaa gct ttt 2567 Ala Asn Ile Val Phe Gly Tyr Ala Thr Cys Gln Gly Ala Glu Ala Phe 800 805 810 815 gaa atc cag cat tct gga ttg gca aat gga atc ttt atg aaa ttt tta 2615 Glu Ile Gln His Ser Gly Leu Ala Asn Gly Ile Phe Met Lys Phe Leu 820 825 830 aaa gac aga tta tta gaa gat aag aaa atc act gtg tta ctg gat gaa 2663 Lys Asp Arg Leu Leu Glu Asp Lys Lys Ile Thr Val Leu Leu Asp Glu 835 840 845 gtt gca gaa gat atg ggt aag tgt cac ctt acc aaa ggc aaa cag gct 2711 Val Ala Glu Asp Met Gly Lys Cys His Leu Thr Lys Gly Lys Gln Ala 850 855 860 cta gag att cga agt agt tta tct gag aag aga gca ctt act gat cca 2759 Leu Glu Ile Arg Ser Ser Leu Ser Glu Lys Arg Ala Leu Thr Asp Pro 865 870 875 ata cag gga aca gaa tat tct gct gaa tct ctt gtg cgg aat cta cag 2807 Ile Gln Gly Thr Glu Tyr Ser Ala Glu Ser Leu Val Arg Asn Leu Gln 880 885 890 895 tgg gcc aag gct cat gaa ctt cca gaa agt atg tgt ctt aag ttt gac 2855 Trp Ala Lys Ala His Glu Leu Pro Glu Ser Met Cys Leu Lys Phe Asp 900 905 910 tgt ggt gtt cag att caa tta gga ttt gca gct gag ttt tcc aat gtc 2903 Cys Gly Val Gln Ile Gln Leu Gly Phe Ala Ala Glu Phe Ser Asn Val 915 920 925 atg atc atc tat aca agt ata gtt tac aaa cca ccg gag ata ata atg 2951 Met Ile Ile Tyr Thr Ser Ile Val Tyr Lys Pro Pro Glu Ile Ile Met 930 935 940 tgt gat gcc tac gtt act gat ttt cca ctt gat cta gat att gat cca 2999 Cys Asp Ala Tyr Val Thr Asp Phe Pro Leu Asp Leu Asp Ile Asp Pro 945 950 955 aaa gat gca aat aaa ggc aca cct gaa gaa act ggc agc tac ttg gta 3047 Lys Asp Ala Asn Lys Gly Thr Pro Glu Glu Thr Gly Ser Tyr Leu Val 960 965 970 975 tca aag gat ctt ccc aag cat tgc ctc tat acc aga ctc agt tca ctg 3095 Ser Lys Asp Leu Pro Lys His Cys Leu Tyr Thr Arg Leu Ser Ser Leu 980 985 990 caa aaa tta aag gaa cat cta gtc ttc aca gta tgt tta tca tat cag 3143 Gln Lys Leu Lys Glu His Leu Val Phe Thr Val Cys Leu Ser Tyr Gln 995 1000 1005 tac tca gga ttg gaa gat act gta gag gac aag cag gaa gtg aat gtt 3191 Tyr Ser Gly Leu Glu Asp Thr Val Glu Asp Lys Gln Glu Val Asn Val 1010 1015 1020 ggg aaa cct ctc att gct aaa tta gac atg cat cga ggt ttg gga agg 3239 Gly Lys Pro Leu Ile Ala Lys Leu Asp Met His Arg Gly Leu Gly Arg 1025 1030 1035 aag act tgc ttt caa act tgt ctt atg tct aat ggt cct tac cag agt 3287 Lys Thr Cys Phe Gln Thr Cys Leu Met Ser Asn Gly Pro Tyr Gln Ser 1040 1045 1050 1055 tct gca gcc acc tca gga gga gca ggg cat tat cac tca ttg caa gac 3335 Ser Ala Ala Thr Ser Gly Gly Ala Gly His Tyr His Ser Leu Gln Asp 1060 1065 1070 cca ttc cat ggt gtt tac cat tca cat cct ggt aat cca agt aat gtt 3383 Pro Phe His Gly Val Tyr His Ser His Pro Gly Asn Pro Ser Asn Val 1075 1080 1085 aca cca gca gat agc tgt cat tgc agc cgg act cca gat gca ttt att 3431 Thr Pro Ala Asp Ser Cys His Cys Ser Arg Thr Pro Asp Ala Phe Ile 1090 1095 1100 tca agt ttc gct cac cat gct tca tgt cat ttt agt aga agt aat gtg 3479 Ser Ser Phe Ala His His Ala Ser Cys His Phe Ser Arg Ser Asn Val 1105 1110 1115 cca gta gag aca act gat gaa ata cca ttt agt ttc tct gac agg ctc 3527 Pro Val Glu Thr Thr Asp Glu Ile Pro Phe Ser Phe Ser Asp Arg Leu 1120 1125 1130 1135 aga att tct gaa aaa tga cctccttgtt tttgaaagtt agcataattt 3575 Arg Ile Ser Glu Lys 1140 tagatgcctg tgaaatagta ctgcacttac ataaagtgag acattgtgaa aaggcaaatt 3635 tgtatatgta gagaaagaat agtagtaact gtttcatagc aaacttcagg actttgagat 3695 gttgaaatta cattatttaa ttacagactt cctctttct 3734 <210> SEQ ID NO 8 <211> LENGTH: 1140 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 8 Met Asn Ile Val Glu Asn Ser Ile Phe Leu Ser Asn Leu Met Lys Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Asn Thr Phe Glu Leu Lys Tyr Asp Leu Ser Cys Glu Leu Tyr Arg 20 25 30 Met Ser Thr Tyr Ser Thr Phe Pro Ala Gly Val Pro Val Ser Glu Arg 35 40 45 Ser Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Phe Tyr Tyr Thr Gly Val Asn Asp Lys Val 50 55 60 Lys Cys Phe Cys Cys Gly Leu Met Leu Asp Asn Trp Lys Arg Gly Asp 65 70 75 80 Ser Pro Thr Glu Lys His Lys Lys Leu Tyr Pro Ser Cys Arg Phe Val 85 90 95 Gln Ser Leu Asn Ser Val Asn Asn Leu Glu Ala Thr Ser Gln Pro Thr 100 105 110 Phe Pro Ser Ser Val Thr Asn Ser Thr His Ser Leu Leu Pro Gly Thr 115 120 125 Glu Asn Ser Gly Tyr Phe Arg Gly Ser Tyr Ser Asn Ser Pro Ser Asn 130 135 140 Pro Val Asn Ser Arg Ala Asn Gln Asp Phe Ser Ala Leu Met Arg Ser 145 150 155 160 Ser Tyr His Cys Ala Met Asn Asn Glu Asn Ala Arg Leu Leu Thr Phe 165 170 175 Gln Thr Trp Pro Leu Thr Phe Leu Ser Pro Thr Asp Leu Ala Lys Ala 180 185 190 Gly Phe Tyr Tyr Ile Gly Pro Gly Asp Arg Val Ala Cys Phe Ala Cys 195 200 205 Gly Gly Lys Leu Ser Asn Trp Glu Pro Lys Asp Asn Ala Met Ser Glu 210 215 220 His Leu Arg His Phe Pro Lys Cys Pro Phe Ile Glu Asn Gln Leu Gln 225 230 235 240 Asp Thr Ser Arg Tyr Thr Val Ser Asn Leu Ser Met Gln Thr His Ala 245 250 255 Ala Arg Phe Lys Thr Phe Phe Asn Trp Pro Ser Ser Val Leu Val Asn 260 265 270 Pro Glu Gln Leu Ala Ser Ala Gly Phe Tyr Tyr Val Gly Asn Ser Asp 275 280 285 Asp Val Lys Cys Phe Cys Cys Asp Gly Gly Leu Arg Cys Trp Glu Ser 290 295 300 Gly Asp Asp Pro Trp Val Gln His Ala Lys Trp Phe Pro Arg Cys Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Leu Ile Arg Ile Lys Gly Gln Glu Phe Ile Arg Gln Val Gln Ala 325 330 335 Ser Tyr Pro His Leu Leu Glu Gln Leu Leu Ser Thr Ser Asp Ser Pro 340 345 350 Gly Asp Glu Asn Ala Glu Ser Ser Ile Ile His Phe Glu Pro Gly Glu 355 360 365 Asp His Ser Glu Asp Ala Ile Met Met Asn Thr Pro Val Ile Asn Ala 370 375 380 Ala Val Glu Met Gly Phe Ser Arg Ser Leu Val Lys Gln Thr Val Gln 385 390 395 400 Arg Lys Ile Leu Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn Tyr Arg Leu Val Asn Asp Leu 405 410 415 Val Leu Asp Leu Leu Asn Ala Glu Asp Glu Ile Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg 420 425 430 Glu Arg Ala Thr Glu Glu Lys Glu Ser Arg Ile Lys Ile Thr Val Asn 435 440 445 Pro Glu Ser Lys Ala Val Leu Ala Gly Gln Phe Val Lys Leu Cys Cys 450 455 460 Arg Ala Thr Gly His Pro Phe Val Gln Tyr Gln Trp Phe Lys Met Asn 465 470 475 480 Lys Glu Ile Pro Asn Gly Asn Thr Ser Glu Leu Ile Phe Asn Ala Val 485 490 495 His Val Lys Asp Ala Gly Phe Tyr Val Cys Arg Val Asn Asn Asn Phe 500 505 510 Thr Phe Glu Phe Ser Gln Trp Ser Gln Leu Asp Val Cys Asp Ile Pro 515 520 525 Glu Ser Phe Gln Arg Ser Val Asp Gly Val Ser Glu Ser Lys Leu Gln 530 535 540 Ile Cys Val Glu Pro Thr Ser Gln Lys Leu Met Pro Gly Ser Thr Leu 545 550 555 560 Val Leu Gln Cys Val Ala Val Gly Ser Pro Ile Pro His Tyr Gln Trp 565 570 575 Phe Lys Asn Glu Leu Pro Leu Thr His Glu Thr Lys Lys Leu Tyr Met 580 585 590 Val Pro Tyr Val Asp Leu Glu His Gln Gly Thr Tyr Trp Cys His Val 595 600 605 Tyr Asn Asp Arg Asp Ser Gln Asp Ser Lys Lys Val Glu Ile Ile Ile 610 615 620 Gly Arg Thr Asp Glu Ala Val Glu Cys Thr Glu Asp Glu Leu Asn Asn 625 630 635 640 Leu Gly His Pro Asp Asn Lys Glu Gln Thr Thr Asp Gln Pro Leu Ala 645 650 655 Lys Asp Lys Val Ala Leu Leu Ile Gly Asn Met Asn Tyr Arg Glu His 660 665 670 Pro Lys Leu Lys Ala Pro Leu Val Asp Val Tyr Glu Leu Thr Asn Leu 675 680 685 Leu Arg Gln Leu Asp Phe Lys Val Val Ser Leu Leu Asp Leu Thr Glu 690 695 700 Tyr Glu Met Arg Asn Ala Val Asp Glu Phe Leu Leu Leu Leu Asp Lys 705 710 715 720 Gly Val Tyr Gly Leu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Gly His Gly Tyr Glu Asn Phe 725 730 735 Gly Asn Ser Phe Met Val Pro Val Asp Ala Pro Asn Pro Tyr Arg Ser 740 745 750 Glu Asn Cys Leu Cys Val Gln Asn Ile Leu Lys Leu Met Gln Glu Lys 755 760 765 Glu Thr Gly Leu Asn Val Phe Leu Leu Asp Met Cys Arg Lys Arg Asn 770 775 780 Asp Tyr Asp Asp Thr Ile Pro Ile Leu Asp Ala Leu Lys Val Thr Ala 785 790 795 800 Asn Ile Val Phe Gly Tyr Ala Thr Cys Gln Gly Ala Glu Ala Phe Glu 805 810 815 Ile Gln His Ser Gly Leu Ala Asn Gly Ile Phe Met Lys Phe Leu Lys 820 825 830 Asp Arg Leu Leu Glu Asp Lys Lys Ile Thr Val Leu Leu Asp Glu Val 835 840 845 Ala Glu Asp Met Gly Lys Cys His Leu Thr Lys Gly Lys Gln Ala Leu 850 855 860 Glu Ile Arg Ser Ser Leu Ser Glu Lys Arg Ala Leu Thr Asp Pro Ile 865 870 875 880 Gln Gly Thr Glu Tyr Ser Ala Glu Ser Leu Val Arg Asn Leu Gln Trp 885 890 895 Ala Lys Ala His Glu Leu Pro Glu Ser Met Cys Leu Lys Phe Asp Cys 900 905 910 Gly Val Gln Ile Gln Leu Gly Phe Ala Ala Glu Phe Ser Asn Val Met 915 920 925 Ile Ile Tyr Thr Ser Ile Val Tyr Lys Pro Pro Glu Ile Ile Met Cys 930 935 940 Asp Ala Tyr Val Thr Asp Phe Pro Leu Asp Leu Asp Ile Asp Pro Lys 945 950 955 960 Asp Ala Asn Lys Gly Thr Pro Glu Glu Thr Gly Ser Tyr Leu Val Ser 965 970 975 Lys Asp Leu Pro Lys His Cys Leu Tyr Thr Arg Leu Ser Ser Leu Gln 980 985 990 Lys Leu Lys Glu His Leu Val Phe Thr Val Cys Leu Ser Tyr Gln Tyr 995 1000 1005 Ser Gly Leu Glu Asp Thr Val Glu Asp Lys Gln Glu Val Asn Val Gly 1010 1015 1020 Lys Pro Leu Ile Ala Lys Leu Asp Met His Arg Gly Leu Gly Arg Lys 1025 1030 1035 1040 Thr Cys Phe Gln Thr Cys Leu Met Ser Asn Gly Pro Tyr Gln Ser Ser 1045 1050 1055 Ala Ala Thr Ser Gly Gly Ala Gly His Tyr His Ser Leu Gln Asp Pro 1060 1065 1070 Phe His Gly Val Tyr His Ser His Pro Gly Asn Pro Ser Asn Val Thr 1075 1080 1085 Pro Ala Asp Ser Cys His Cys Ser Arg Thr Pro Asp Ala Phe Ile Ser 1090 1095 1100 Ser Phe Ala His His Ala Ser Cys His Phe Ser Arg Ser Asn Val Pro 1105 1110 1115 1120 Val Glu Thr Thr Asp Glu Ile Pro Phe Ser Phe Ser Asp Arg Leu Arg 1125 1130 1135 Ile Ser Glu Lys 1140 <210> SEQ ID NO 9 <211> LENGTH: 14 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 1 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 9 cgcctcaggt gagc 14 <210> SEQ ID NO 10 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 1 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 10 tctttctgtt gctttcagtt gccta 25 <210> SEQ ID NO 11 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 2 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 11 cccccaggta ggt 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 12 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 2 - 3′ end of the intron-exon boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 12 tttttttttt ttttttagga ataaag 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 13 <211> LENGTH: 15 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 3 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 13 aataaagagg taatt 15 <210> SEQ ID NO 14 <211> LENGTH: 27 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 3 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 14 tcttattgat cttcacagat tccaaat 27 <210> SEQ ID NO 15 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 4 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 15 ttccagagta agt 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 16 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 4 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 16 tttttctttt aatttaagga agtgtt 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 17 <211> LENGTH: 15 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 5 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 17 ctatacatgg tagga 15 <210> SEQ ID NO 18 <211> LENGTH: 27 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 5 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 18 gttctaatat tgatataggt gccttat 27 <210> SEQ ID NO 19 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 6 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 19 atcataggta aga 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 20 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 6 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 20 tgttttttct gaaacaagga agaaca 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 21 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 7 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 21 actgaaggta gtg 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 22 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 7 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 22 tctcttactt tgttttagat gaatta 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 23 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 8 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 23 catcctggtg agt 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 24 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 8 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 24 ttttttatct ttgtatagat aataaa 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 25 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 9 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 25 cctttgggtg agt 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 26 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 9 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 26 tttctttttt tttcaaagcg aaggac 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 27 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 10 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 27 gtatatggta aga 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 28 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no10 end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 28 tattttccct cttttcaggg ttatta 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 29 LENGTH: 14 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 11 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 29 aggaaaaggt aagt 14 <210> SEQ ID NO 30 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 11- 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 30 tccgcctccc ttaaatagaa atgac 25 <210> SEQ ID NO 31 <211> LENGTH: 14 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 12 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 31 tatgccacgt aaga 14 <210> SEQ ID NO 32 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 12 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 32 tctttttcta tttttaaggt gtcaa 25 <210> SEQ ID NO 33 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 13 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 33 gcagaaggta aaa 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 34 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 13 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 34 tattttcata tcttttagat atgggt 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 35 <211> LENGTH: 13 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 14 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 35 gctcatggta cgg 13 <210> SEQ ID NO 36 <211> LENGTH: 26 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 14 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 36 cttattgttc tttttcagaa cttcca 26 <210> SEQ ID NO 37 <211> LENGTH: 15 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 15 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 37 tttccacttg tgagt 15 <210> SEQ ID NO 38 <211> LENGTH: 27 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 15 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 38 taattttttt ttttacagga tctagat 27 <210> SEQ ID NO 39 <211> LENGTH: 15 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon no 16 - 5′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 39 aaattaaagg ttact 15 <210> SEQ ID NO 40 <211> LENGTH: 27 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: exon 16 - 3′ end of the exon-intron boundary of the human MLT gene <400> SEQUENCE: 40 gatttttttc cttttcagga acatcta 27 <210> SEQ ID NO 41 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer API2-1266f <400> SEQUENCE: 41 attaatgctg ccgtggaaat 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 42 <211> LENGTH: 23 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer API2-1301f <400> SEQUENCE: 42 cctggtaaaa cagacagttc aga 23 <210> SEQ ID NO 43 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-i2r1 <400> SEQUENCE: 43 caggtggtgg ataacgtgga gttt 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 44 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-i2r2 <400> SEQUENCE: 44 cacaaatctg cctggccaga gaag 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 45 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-984r <400> SEQUENCE: 45 gctttttggt ctcatgtgtt aatg 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 46 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-929r <400> SEQUENCE: 46 aatagggctt ccaacagcaa 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 47 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-1147r <400> SEQUENCE: 47 ggatgaccaa gattatttaa ttca 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 48 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-1181r <400> SEQUENCE: 48 caaaggctgg tcagttgttt g 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 49 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer API2-1684r <400> SEQUENCE: 49 aacacagctt cagcttcttg c 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 50 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer API2-1546r <400> SEQUENCE: 50 ttaataattc cggcagttag tagac 25 <210> SEQ ID NO 51 <211> LENGTH: 23 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer LR-i2f1 <400> SEQUENCE: 51 ggttgagctt ggaaagacaa agg 23 <210> SEQ ID NO 52 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-i2f2 <400> SEQUENCE: 52 acctgatgca ctctatttta cgtgg 25 <210> SEQ ID NO 53 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-717f <400> SEQUENCE: 53 gcaggctttt atgtctgtcg 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 54 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-757f <400> SEQUENCE: 54 ttgaattcag ccagtggtca 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 55 <211> LENGTH: 27 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-i8f1 <400> SEQUENCE: 55 cttttgtaaa tagccaccac taagatt 27 <210> SEQ ID NO 56 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Description of Artificial Sequence: primer MLT-i8f2 <400> SEQUENCE: 56 ttcccacaat tcagggagta ccaaa 25 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a first portion encoding at least part of an apoptosis inhibitor 2 (API2) gene, said first portion corresponding to the N-terminal portion of API2, wherein said N-terminal portion of API2 does not extend to 3′ of intron 7, and a second portion encoding at least part of a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-Lymphoma associated Translocation (MLT) protein (SEQ ID NO:60), said isolated nucleic acid capable of diagnosing low grade lymphoma.
 2. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, which comprises SEQ ID NO:7.
 3. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, further comprising nucleic acid of human chromosome 11 region q21-22.3.
 4. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, further comprising nucleic acid of human chromosome 18 region q21.1-22.
 5. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein said isolated nucleic acid is fluorescently labeled.
 6. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a DNA sequence encoding a fragment of a mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-Lymphoma associated translocation (MLT) protein of SEQ ID NO:8, said isolated nucleic acid useful in the diagnosis of low grade lymphoma.
 7. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 6, wherein said DNA sequence encodes a fragment of a mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-Lymphoma associated translocation (MLT) protein of SEQ ID NO:60.
 8. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 6, wherein said DNA sequence is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) product.
 9. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 7, wherein said DNA sequence is a nucleic acid probe or primer comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides.
 10. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 7, wherein said DNA sequence is fluorescently labeled.
 11. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein said DNA sequence is fluorescently labeled.
 12. An isolated nucleic acid complementary to the isolated nucleic acid of claim
 7. 13. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 12, wherein said DNA sequence is a nucleic acid probe or primer comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides.
 14. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 13, wherein said DNA sequence is fluorescently labeled. 